Lilongwe-based outfit Rising Choreos and Theatre Company, led by award-winning filmmaker and actor Joyce Mhango Chavula, leaves the country on July 30 for Europe to participate in the Festivals du Sud.
Chavula said a team of 13 members will make the trip and that it includes six females and seven males.
“This is under an invitation. They usually invite groups from around the world and we were supposed to go in 2021 but Covid happened; so, they got in touch again last year for this year’s festival,” the award-winning filmmaker and actor, said.
She said the tour is special in that Malawi and Tanzania are the two countries from Africa that are taking part this year.
“We have had massive preparations and we are looking forward to flying Malawi’s flag in Europe,” Chavula said.
“The Department of Arts through Mr James Thole has played a great role by guiding us through this process and helping us with the dances. Also a special mention to Mr Luc Deschamps from Jacaranda Foundation, who has helped us with the visa processes,” she added.
She said it has been a rigorous process but they were set to showcase authentic Malawian culture through songs and dance.
A letter dated March 23 2024 officially invites Rising Choreos and Theatre Company to participate in the Festival du Sud tour this month through to next month in France and Spain.
“The Ensemble – Rising Choreos and Theatre Company will officially represent Malawi in the Festivals du Sud tour that will take place in Europe where 1200 dancers and musicians will gather from the five continents for a huge celebration of friendship between nations,” the letter reads in part.
It further says that 45 folk ensembles and national ballets will participate in this worldwide folk festival that has become overtime, the most important in Europe in the domain of popular arts and traditions. Apart from Malawi and Tanzania, other countries participating are Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Nepal and Philippines.
